The Ministry of Industry and Trade has signed a contract with PAO "Yakovlev" for the creation of a prototype of the shortened version of the medium-haul aircraft MC-21-210. According to public procurement materials, the cost of the work is estimated at almost 19.7 billion rubles. The new airliner should be ready by 2028.
Unlike the basic MC-21-310 model, the shortened version will have an increased flight range and improved economic performance. It is expected that the passenger capacity will be reduced to 160–170 seats (compared to 211 for the standard version). By reducing the fuselage length and optimizing the design, developers expect to increase range and reduce operating costs.
The contract also provides for a reduction in the weight of the power plant pylon and the onboard cable network. These measures, according to the creators, will further improve the aircraft's flight performance.
First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov previously called the release of the shortened MC-21 one of the ways to increase the efficiency of the entire program. Certification flights of the basic MC-21-310 version and the launch of its serial production are expected in 2027. The new modification, according to the developers, should expand market niches for the Russian aircraft industry, offering airlines an alternative to both more capacious and longer-range foreign competitors.